Device for supplying a respiratory gas

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an apparatus for supplying a respiratory gas to a patient within the context of diagnosis and/or therapy of sleep-related breathing disorders. In particular the invention concerns a CPAP unit with self-adaptive dual level pressure regulation. According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for supplying a respiratory gas comprising an electronic signal processing device for generating a pressure control signal (p) on the basis of signals ( 5 ) indicative in respect of the breathing activity and/or the physiological state of a person, wherein the signal processing device ( 1 ) has a signal input device and an extraction device ( 2 ) for generating data field entries ( 3 ) according to predetermined signal analysis procedures, and there is provided a pressure signal generator ( 4 ) for generating the pressure control signal (p), wherein the pressure signal generator ( 4 ) generates the pressure signal (p) taking into account at least selected data field entries ( 3 ) which are determined on the part of the extraction device ( 2 ).

[0001] The invention concerns an apparatus for supplying a respiratory gas to a patient in the context of diagnosis and/or therapy of sleep-related breathing disorders. In particular the invention concerns a CPAP unit with self-adaptive dual level pressure regulation.

[0002] Sleep-related breathing disorders, particularly in connection with obstructions in the region of the upper respiratory tracks, can be subjected to therapy in a physiologically well compatible fashion by increased-pressure respiration using a respiratory gas pressure which is possibly alternating but which is permanently above the ambient pressure level. This increased-pressure respiration which is generally referred to as CPAP therapy is based on “pneumatic splinting” of the upper respiratory tracts, which is achieved by the increased pressure. That pneumatic splinting effect obviates any obstructions in the region of the upper respiratory tracts. In order to ensure that the CPAP therapy enjoys as high a level of physiological compatibility as possible, the endeavor is to minimize the respiration pressure and to reduce it in particular during an expiration phase in relation to the inspiration phase.

[0003] Hitherto favorable respiration pressure levels can either be selected by the patient himself or for example can also be ascertained under the charge of a doctor in the context of a stay on the part of the patient in a sleep laboratory. Investigations have shown however that both the therapy pressures desired by the patient himself and also the therapy pressures ascertained in the course of a stay in a sleep laboratory, for the inspiration pressure and also for the usually somewhat lower expiration pressure, are in part markedly above the inspiration and expiration pressure levels required for the predominant part of the sleep phase.

[0004] Under the impulsion of that problem the object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for supplying a respiratory gas to a patient, by which the respiration pressure level can be still more reliably adapted to the physiological state of the patient.

[0005] In accordance with the invention that object is attained by an apparatus for supplying a respiratory gas comprising an electronic signal processing device for generating a pressure control signal on the basis of signals indicative in respect of the breathing activity and/or physiological state of a person, wherein the signal processing device has a signal input device and an extraction device for generating data field entries in accordance with predetermined signal analysis procedures, and there is provided a pressure signal generator for generating the pressure control signal, wherein the pressure signal generator generates the pressure signal taking into account at least selected data field entries determined on the part of the extraction device.

[0006] In that way it is advantageously possible to achieve a respiratory gas supply which is adapted in an improved fashion to the instantaneous physiological demands of the patient.

[0007] In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the extraction device is so designed that evaluation of signals indicative in respect of the respiratory gas flow is effected thereby. Those signals which are indicative in respect of the respiratory gas flow can be generated for example by a dynamic pressure detection device or also by measurement circuits on the basis of acoustic principles, in particular the Doppler effect of an ultrasonic event.

[0008] Evaluation of the signals indicative in respect of the respiratory gas flow is preferably effected on the basis of a time series analysis procedure, in particular on the basis of variance consideration of the first, second and third derivatives of the respiratory gas flow.

[0009] Preferably the extraction device is so designed that, in conjunction with evaluation of the respiratory gas flow, it analyzes the deviations of the respiratory gas flow from a reference respiratory flow pattern. That reference respiratory flow pattern can be continuously updated.

[0010] It is possible for the extraction device to be so designed that, in conjunction with evaluation of the signals indicative in respect of the respiratory gas flow, a classification data set indicative in respect of the physiological state of the patient is generated. That classification data set can be passed for further evaluation, for example by a medical specialist, by way of an interface device, for example by way of an infrared interface or also by way of a portable data carrier.

[0011] In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, generated on the part of the extraction device is an interlinking data set which describes a relationship between the data field entries ascertained on the basis of selected analysis criteria. That relationship between the extracted features or the probability of that relationship can be further classified by statistical details so that the significance of the extracted features or the weighting thereof can be suitably taken into account in pressure regulation.

[0012] It is possible on the basis of that statistical classification of the extracted features to generate a patient-specific data set which shows for example that certain items of information contained in the input signals can be disregarded. Thus it is possible for example on the basis of the patient-specific data set to assess to what degree there is a relationship between the respiration pressure levels and the body position of the patient, in particular the degree of turning of the neck or the position of the head. It is possible to statistically describe relationships which occur with a high level of statistical probability or to define them by parameters.

[0013] In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the pressure signal generator is operatively incorporated into the signal processing device in such a way that it takes account of respiration phase data and respiration phase change-over signals upon generation of the pressure control signal. In that way it becomes possible to match the configuration in respect of time of the respiratory gas pressure change between the successive respiration phases, in such a way as to ensure a particularly high level of respiration comfort, in particular during the phase of dropping off to sleep and with a high blood oxygen content. In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the respiration phase change-over signals are produced by a respiration phase co-ordinator which is operatively incorporated into the signal processing device in such a way that, in the same manner as the pressure signal generator, the respiration phase co-ordinator has access to given field entries of the data field generated by the extraction device.

[0014] The respiration phase co-ordinator is preferably incorporated into the signal processing device in such a way that it also has access substantially in real time to the signals “raw data” at the signal input device or at least signals derived therefrom (for example filtered in a defined fashion). That makes it possible for respiration phase recognition to be implemented with precise matching to the instantaneous physiological state of the user without in that respect major delay times occurring in terms of analysis of the respiratory gas flow.

[0015] In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention respiration phase co-ordination is effected by respiration phase recognition on the basis of threshold consideration, wherein the threshold value changes with increasing distance in respect of time from the moment in time of the previous respiration phase change. Those change dynamics are adapted in program-controlled manner preferably on the basis of selected entries in the data field. Respiration phase recognition is preferably also effected with recourse to a more extensive data set, in particular a characteristic diagram or mapping, wherein the position within same is ascertained in dependence on the instantaneously recognized physiological state of the user.

[0016] The respiration phase co-ordinator is preferably so designed that in the respiration phase recognition procedure it analyses the first and preferably also the second derivative of the respiratory gas flow. A particularly high level of reliability in regard to recognition of the individual respiration phases can be achieved if a plurality of recognition criteria are processed in interlinked relationship. It is possible for those recognition criteria to be selected on the basis of fuzzy logic procedures or to be weighted differently in dependence on the data field entries generated by the extraction device.

[0017] The respiration phase co-ordinator and the pressure presetting device are preferably operatively interlinked in such a way that in the case of blurred respiration phase recognition, the distance between the inspiration pressure and the expiration pressure is reduced. It is possible for the pressure presetting device also to be operated with recourse to an additional patient-specific pressure regulation data set. The respiration phase selection data set and the pressure regulation data set can be generated from data fields which are modified with recourse to the data field entries generated on the part of the extraction device.

[0018] In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention for finally setting the respiration gas pressure there is provided a pressure adaptation device to which the pressure control signal generated on the part of the pressure presetting device is fed as a reference value. The pressure adaptation device implements automatically and preferably with a high level of regulating dynamics adaptation of the respiration gas pressure, in accordance with the supplied pressure control signal.

[0019] In that respect particularly precise setting of the respiratory gas pressure is achieved by the respiratory gas pressure being detected at a pressure take-off location near the patient. It is possible the respiratory gas pressure to be set in such a way that only the static pressure component at the pressure take-off location or also the static pressure component in the internal space of a breathing mask corresponds to the respiratory gas pressure which is predetermined in accordance with the pressure control signal. Insofar as direct pressure take-off is not possible in the region of a user, then in accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the pressure adaptation device is so designed that it calculates pressure correction values to compensate for conduit-governed pressure drops, having regard to the instantaneous respiratory gas flow.

[0020] The apparatus according to the invention for supplying a respiratory gas is particularly suitable as a CPAP unit with automatically adjusting dual-level pressure regulation.

[0021] Further details and features of the invention are apparent from the description hereinafter of a preferred embodiment by way of example with reference to the drawing in which:

[0022]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the principle of the regulating concept on which the invention is based,

[0023]FIG. 2 is a multi-dimensional characteristic diagram or mapping which is adapted in patient-specific fashion and which represents the relationship between the respiratory gas pressure and the maximum respiratory gas flow that entails, for different physiological states of the patient, and

[0024]FIG. 3 shows a diagram to explain the assessment criteria which are continuously adapted in dependence on a criterion grid for detection of the respiration cycles of a patient and for adaptation of pressure change-over.

[0025] In accordance with the regulating concept shown in FIG. 1, signals indicative in respect of the instantaneous physiological state of a patient are supplied to a processing device which is identified hereinafter as the extraction device 2. A data field 3 is filled out in that extraction device 2, on the basis of an adaptive evaluation procedure. The items of information contained in the data field 3 are taken into consideration in regard to adaptation of the instantaneous performance in respect of time of respiratory gas pressure regulation.

[0026] In the system illustrated here a part of the field entries is taken into account when ascertaining a reference inspiration pressure as well as a reference expiration pressure.

[0027] The reference pressures are processed in a respiration phase co-ordinator 5 in conjunction with further entries read out of the criterion field 3. The instantaneous respiratory gas pressure value fixed in that way is supplied to a pressure control device 8 which, in conjunction with a high-dynamic regulating circuit, sets the respiratory gas pressure, for example by controlling a rotary speed of a blower, to the predetermined reference respiratory gas pressure. Setting of the respiratory gas pressures, in extremely close relationship with time, is achieved with the illustrated regulating design insofar as at least a part of the signals S which are taken off at the patient is available to the individual regulating components only filtered by a band pass filter.

[0028] The regulating concept according to the invention can be implemented by a sufficiently powerful computer device, in which respect it is possible for the components which here are described in clearly differentiated fashion to be embodied in the form of possibly overlapping subprocedures by a suitable program procedure.

[0029] In the extraction device 2 preferably at least one signal indicative in respect of the instantaneous respiratory gas flow is subjected to a time series analysis procedure, in which respect preferably at least the first, second and third derivatives of that signal are formed. In addition statistical parameters, in particular the variance of the signal configuration, or the time derivatives thereof, are ascertained. The features ascertained in connection with the individual curve discussion criteria are entered in the field 3 preferably in connection with a statistical certainty and a weighting factor possibly changing with increasing statistical expressiveness or interlinking parameters. At least a part of the details entered in the field 3 is taken into account when adapting the performance in respect of time of actual respiratory gas pressure regulation.

[0030] In the embodiment illustrated here besides signals indicative in respect of the respiratory gas flow, position signals and signals indicative in respect of the respiratory gas pressure are also detected by way of the signal input device 1. Those signals are available in definedly filtered form if required for the regulating systems of the signal processing device according to the invention. In the embodiment illustrated here a multi-dimensional data field 3 is generated by the extraction device 2. Disposed in that data field 3 are the dynamically changing data field entries generated by the extraction device. In the illustrated embodiment further items of information, in particular details relating to the statistical certainty, are associated with given data field entries generated by the extraction device 2. The data field entries stored in the data field 3 which is dynamically managed in accordance with the extraction device 2 are available to the pressure presetting device 4 and the respiration phase co-ordinator 5, as indicated by data flow arrows 9.

[0031] The pressure presetting device 4 ascertains for example on the basis of selected data field entries in the dynamic data field 3 the maximum inspiration pressure and the maximum expiration pressure. In addition the data presetting device 4 ascertains a pressure configuration in respect of time, which is adapted to the instantaneous physiological state of the spontaneously breathing person, at the change between the two respiration phases.

[0032] Recognition or identification of the respiration phases is effected by way of the respiration phase co-ordinator 5 which also has access to selected data field entries in the data field 3. The respiration phase co-ordinator 5 is further in a nearly dead time-free signal relationship with the signal input device 1. Assessment of the breathing activity of the spontaneously breathing person by the respiration phase co-ordinator 5 is additionally effected in the illustrated embodiment having regard to patient-specific presetting parameters and also having regard to the pressure control signals P which are predetermined on the part of the pressure presetting device 4.

[0033] It is possible in that way, in respiratory gas supply periods with comparatively large differences between the inspiration respiratory gas pressure and the expiration respiratory gas pressure, to implement respiration phase recognition with a higher level of sensitivity, whereas when there are comparatively small differences between the respiratory gas inspiration pressure and the respiratory gas expiration pressure, other criteria can be used to form the basis for recognition of or determination of the respiration phases.

[0034] The pressure control signals P which are generated on the part of the pressure presetting device 4 are supplied to a pressure adaptation device 8 for actuation of the members relevant for building up the respiratory gas pressure, for example a blower device. Regulation of the respiratory gas pressure in accordance with the pressure control signal P can be effected by way of a high-dynamic regulating circuit provided for that purpose, which has its own pressure detection members.

[0035] In conjunction with the described signal processing device according to the invention, it is now possible to guarantee a stable and precise setting of the respiratory gas pressure, which is adapted to the physiological requirements of a spontaneously breathing person.

[0036] As can be seen from the diagram incorporated into the view in FIG. 1 the mean inspiration pressure and the mean expiration pressure of a respiration phase vary in the course of a period of time extending over the sleep phase of a patient. In dependence on given parameters which are indicative in respect of the physiological state of the spontaneously breathing person, in that situation there are pressure distances (Δp) of different magnitudes between the inspiration pressure and the mean expiration pressure of each breath. Recognition of the respiration phases by the respiration phase selector 5 is also adapted in dependence on that pressure difference.

[0037] Adaptation both of the inspiration pressure and also the expiration pressure can be effected on the basis of a patient-specifically adapted characteristic diagram or mapping, in which case the instantaneous position in that diagram can be implemented on the basis of classification details which are ascertained in conjunction with the data field entries 3 generated by the extraction device 2.

[0038] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the data field entries present in the dynamic data field 3 are used to ascertain which region of the characteristic diagram illustrated here is to be utilized for instantaneous regulation of the respiratory gas pressure. A maximum respiratory gas inspiration pressure and in association therewith a minimum respiratory gas expiration pressure is ascertained on the basis of a selection made in that way in respect of the patient-specifically adapted characteristic diagram region. Those two pressure levels preferably lie within the bend region 10 of the characteristic diagram, which is here indicated by heavier hatching. In the present embodiment the characteristic diagram extends over a CPAP pressure region of 4-18 mb. The distance between the maximum inspiration pressure and the minimum expiration pressure is below 6 mb in the patient-specific characteristic diagram illustrated here. Besides the gradient of the characteristic diagram in the illustrated bend region 10 the distance between the maximum inspiration pressure and the minimum expiration pressure is also determined by further influencing factors which are ascertained on the basis of the data field dynamically filled in by the extraction device 2.

[0039] The view in FIG. 3 shows in qualitative terms the configuration in respect of time of the respiratory gas flow V, with association of the inspiration phases T_(I) and expiration phases T_(E) recognized on the part of the respiration phase co-ordinator 5. Diagrammatically illustrated below the respiratory gas flow curve is the first derivative thereof. In dependence on the entries in the data field 3 and preferably also in dependence on the pressure control signal P predetermined on the part of the pressure presetting device 4, the criteria for respiration phase recognition are adapted. In the embodiment illustrated here, in a first respiration phase classification category K₁ respiration phase recognition is effected by threshold value comparison with a threshold value which changes in respect of time with a high level of dynamics from a comparatively large value to a relatively low value. The threshold value is increased again immediately after recognition of a change in respiration phase. Immediate switching back into the preceding respiration phase is avoided by virtue of a dynamically adapted dead time. In the classification category K₂ the deviation between the maximum threshold value and the minimum threshold value is already less. Even smaller is the difference between the two threshold values in the classification category K₃. In the classification category K₄ respiration phase recognition is effected on the basis of an almost constant threshold value. In the classification category K₅ respiration phase recognition is also effected on the basis of constant threshold values which however increase in dependence on the data field entries.

[0040] The classification categories are preferably implemented in dependence on a respiration pattern recognition procedure which is implemented by the extraction device 2 and communicated by data field entries.

[0041] The apparatus according to the invention makes it possible to provide a CPAP unit for carrying out respiration therapy in the domestic area, which automatically adapts the respiratory gas pressure both for the inspiration process and also for the expiration process to the physiological requirements of a user.

[0042] The extraction device provided in accordance with the invention makes it possible to classify the instantaneous physiological state of the user by detection of breathing activity. On the basis of that classification it is then possible to establish the instantaneously most favorable respiratory gas pressure values for the inspiration process and for the expiration process. In addition it is now possible to implement respiration phase recognition which is required for setting the possibly differing pressure levels, with a high level of precision. 

1. Apparatus for supplying a respiratory gas comprising an electronic signal processing device for generating a pressure control signal (P) on the basis of signals (S) indicative in respect of the breathing activity and/or physiological state of a person, wherein the signal processing device has a signal input device (1) and an extraction device (2) for generating data field entries (3) in accordance with predetermined signal analysis procedures, and there is provided a pressure signal generator (4) for generating the pressure control signal (P), wherein the pressure signal generator (4) generates the pressure signal (P) taking into account at least selected data field entries (3) determined on the part of the extraction device (2).
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that the extraction device (2) is so designed that it effects evaluation of signals indicative in respect of the respiratory gas flow.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that the extraction device (2) is so designed that evaluation of the signals indicative in respect of the respiratory gas flow is effected on the basis of a time series analysis procedure.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 3 characterized in that the extraction device (2) is so designed that in conjunction with evaluation of the respiratory gas flow the deviations of the respiratory gas flow from an adaptively updated reference respiration flow pattern are analyzed.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 4 characterized in that the extraction device (2) is so designed that in conjunction with evaluation of the signals (S) indicative in respect of the respiratory gas flow a classification data set indicative in respect of the physiological state of the patient is generated.
 6. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 5 characterized in that an interlinking data set is generated on the part of the extraction device (2), said data set describing a relationship between extracted features.
 7. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 6 characterized in that the relationship between extracted features or the probability of the relationship is statistically classified, with the interposition of the extraction device (2).
 8. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 7 characterized in that a patient-specific data set is generated with the interposition of the extraction device (2) on the basis of a statistical classification of the extracted features.
 9. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 8 characterized in that the pressure signal generator (4) is operatively incorporated into the signal processing device in such a way that in generation of the pressure signal (P) the pressure signal generator takes account of respiration phase data (A) and respiration phase change-over signals (AW).
 10. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 9 characterized in that there is provided a respiration phase co-ordinator (5) for generating respiration phase data (A).
 11. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 10 characterized in that the respiration phase co-ordinator (5) is operatively incorporated into the signal processing device in such a way that the respiration phase co-ordinator has access to the data field entries (3).
 12. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 11 characterized in that the respiration phase co-ordinator (5) is operatively incorporated into the signal processing device in such a way that the respiration phase co-ordinator has access to at least a part of the signals at the signal input device (1)—or signals derived therefrom.
 13. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 12 characterized in that the respiration phase co-ordinator (5) is operatively incorporated into the signal processing device in such a way that the respiration phase co-ordinator has access to a patient-specific respiration phase selection data set.
 14. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 13 characterized in that the respiration phase co-ordinator (5) is so designed that it effects respiration phase recognition on the basis of criteria which change in respect of time.
 15. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 13 characterized in that the respiration phase co-ordinator (5) effects respiration phase recognition in conjunction with threshold consideration, wherein the threshold value changes with increasing distance in respect of time from the moment in time of the previous respiration phase change.
 16. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 15 characterized in that the respiration phase co-ordinator (5) is so designed that the threshold value is changed in such a way that the change-over sensitivity increases.
 17. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 16 characterized in that the respiration phase co-ordinator (5) is so designed that the first and/or the second derivative of the respiratory gas flow is analyzed for respiration phase recognition purposes.
 18. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 17 characterized in that the respiration phase co-ordinator (5) is so designed that a plurality of recognition criteria are considered in interlinked relationship in the context of the respiration phase recognition procedure.
 19. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 18 characterized in that the respiration phase co-ordinator (5) and the pressure signal generator (4) are operatively interlinked in such a way that in the case of blurred respiration phase recognition the distance between the inspiration pressure and the expiration pressure is reduced.
 20. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 19 characterized in that the pressure signal generator (4) has access to a patient-specific pressure regulation data set (7).
 21. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 20 characterized in that the respiration phase selection data set (6) and/or the pressure regulation data set (7) are generated having recourse to the data field entries (3) generated on the part of the extraction device (2).
 22. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 21 characterized in that there is provided a pressure adaptation device (8) for setting the respiration gas pressure in accordance with the pressure control signal.
 23. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 21 characterized in that the pressure adaptation device (8) detects the respiratory gas pressure at a pressure take-off location near the patient.
 24. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 23 characterized in that the pressure adaptation device (8) adapts the respiratory gas pressure in such a way that the static pressure component thereof at the pressure take-off location or in the internal space of a breathing mask corresponds to the respiratory gas pressure which is predetermined in accordance with the pressure control signal (P).
 25. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of claims 1 through 24 characterized in that the pressure adaptation device (8) includes a pressure correction device for the compensation of conduit-governed pressure drops.
 26. A CPAP unit with a dual level pressure regulation which is self-adapting to the physiological requirements of a patient, in which signals indicative in respect of the respiratory gas flow are analyzed by an extraction device and entries based thereon are effected in a data store, wherein there are provided a pressure signal generator and a respiration phase recognition device operatively connected thereto, and the regulating behavior of the pressure signal generator and of the respiration phase recognition device is dynamically variable on the basis of the entries in the data store. 